Load separator and sustainer



March 21; 1950 c.' K. STEINS 2,501,420

LOAD SEPARATOR AND SUSTAINER Filed SeptJ 2, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR:

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. I w I 30 25 2 j 04. .Q Q i j 51 BY mm W I ATTORNEYS.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 C. K- STEINS LOAD SEPARATOR AND SUSTAINER INVENTOR:

- WITNESSES March-21, 1950 Filed Sept. :2, 1947 A TTORNEYS.

March 21, 195Q c, s s 2,501,420

P LOAD SEPARATOR AND SUSTAINER Filed Sept. 2-, $947 4 sheets-sheet 4 ATTORNEYS.

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Patented Mar. 21, 1950 UNlTED STATS I ENT QFFIQE LDAD SEPARATOR AND SUSTAINER Application September 2, 1947, Serial No. 771,640

4 Claims. 1

This invention has general reference to load bracing and/or separator means or devices serviceable not only to prevent relative shifting or displacement of stacked freight, during transportation, but also enabling the relative stacking or decking of freight liable to become crushed when piled too high.

My invention deals with the problem of increasing the load which a freight car carries by means of possible subdivision of the car. 'ThisI accomplish by making possible the separation of the car longitudinafly by vertical separators, and a separation of the car horizontally by a load sustainer which supports one or more top layers of lading independent of a lower layer.

More specifically my invention involves the use of a load separator and sustainer in which both upper and lower gates in opposed pairs are pivoted at spaced intervals to the sides of the car both upper and lower pairs occupying one vertical plane. By employing this plan the lower and upper paired gates accomplish longitudinal separation of the load while the lower paired gates are free to support a load-sustaining means on which an upper layer of lading may be sustained. H

Such a horizontal platform may have pivotal connection with the top of a lower gate. By reason of their side-pivoting all of the gates may be swung back to the side of the car whereby it becomes a unicompartmental car.

My invention further involves means for lightening the weight of the separating gates, means rigidly attaching the opposed pairs of gates to each other, means for causing the lower gates to transmit the load which they carry directly to the floor of the car; and other details of construction all of which will be more particularly described in this specification and claimed in the claims.

While the foregoing is indicative in a general way of the fundamental aims of my invention,

other objects with ancillary advantages will hereinafter appear or be evident to those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the typical construction, arrangement and operation of the means described and illustrated by the accompanying sheets of drawings.

My invention, accordingly, briefly consists of a load separator and 'sustainer for freight cars comprising pairs of gates hung at spaced intervals across the car on side pivots, each said gate comprising side elements and horizontal bars connecting them; engagementmembers operative to interengage the meeting side elements of the gates; and a load sustaining means resting upon spaced gates.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference are applied to corresponding parts in all the views: I

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal plan-section of a standard type box or freight car, equipped with my novel load separating and sustaining means, taken approximately as indicated by the angled arrows I-I in Figs. 2 and 3, but drawn to a relatively smaller scale to compact the v1ew.

Fig. 2, is a vertical transverse section taken on the plane II-II in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the associated arrows.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken ap proximately as indicated by the angled arrows IIIIII in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan section taken as indicated by the angled arrows IV-IV in Figs. 2 and 3, but drawn to a scale corresponding with that of the latter figure.

Fig. 5 is a part elevation and part section, on a relatively larger scale, taken within the confines of the dotted line rectangle V in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a similar type view to the preceding figure but taken within the confines of the dotted rectangle VI in Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary detail section taken as indicated by the angled arrows VIP-VII in Fig. 2, but drawn to larger scale for clearer illustration of important structural features.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the angled arrows VIIIVIII in Fig. 2 and drawn to larger scale for clearer illustration of important details.

Fig. 9 is a part sectional and part elevational view taken on the staggered plane indicated by the angled arrows IX-IX in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a detail fragmentary elevation taken as indicated by the angled arrows XX in Fig. 3, and drawn to. larger scale for clearer illustration of the details.

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of one partitioning unit of the improved barrier means of this invention, saidv unit including a relatively collapsible and horizontally-placeable section or sections; and,

Fig; 12 is an exploded perspective View of the same, with one of the collapsible sections in attached position and the other detached, while both or said sections are in horizontal location.

In describing the form of my invention exemplified by the accompanying drawings, specific terms will bev employed for the sake of clarity, but it is. tobe understood the scope of said invention is not thereby limited; each such term. being. in-

tended to embrace all equivalents which perform the same function for an analagous purpose.

Referring more in detail to the drawings and, primarily to Figs. 1-4, inclusive, which illustrate various sections of a typical freight or box-car comprising a floor 13, opposed sheet-metal side outer walls It and similar end walls l5, with inner wood liner walls l6, as well as a roof ll and opposed door-openings l8, all of which are in accordance with prevailing construction, except as hereinafter pointed out, and are merely referred to by way of better explaining my present invention.

In the first place and now referring generally to all of the views, it is to be noted that my improved load separating and sustaining means, comprises opposingly movable or swingable counterpart left-and-right-hand gates comprehensively designated 19, 20 respectively. Each gate I9, 29 as best shown in Figs. 2, 11 and 12, includes an outer side post 2|! and an inner side post 22, as considered with respect to the axes of their swingable movement; while said posts are of different length for reasons later on explained. The posts 2|, 22 of each gate l9, 2!] are opposingly related, that is to say, one flange 23 of each said post is planarly disposed, whereas the other flanges 24 are in parallel; while said posts 21, 22 are rigidly connected together by vertically spaced tubes 25, having their respective ends surroundingly fillet welded at 28 concentric with apertures 21 through the parallel gate post flanges 24, see Figs. -8, 11 and 12 to best advantage. Attention is also directed to the fact that alternate of the flange apertures 27 are outwardly flared as indicated at 28, in Figs. 5, 6 and 12. Alternatingly related of the tubes 25 in the respective gates I9, are fitted with tubular, for example, bolt members 29 having radial manipulator tabs 30 integrated thereto by welds 3|; each said tab 39 projecting outwardly of the associated tube through a lengthwise slot 32 whereby projection and retraction of the bolt member 28 is controlled, in an obvious manner. It is to be here remarked that each such slot 32 is of a length to permit complete retraction, into the bore of the respective tubes 25, of the associated bolt member 29, while enabling projection of said member 29 well into the aligned tube 25 whereby the respective gates I9, 29 are rigidly retained coplanarly interlocked, when in load separating or bracing position, as later on herein again referred to.

Each gate 19, 20 is provided with spaced hinge section or lateral lugs 33, preferably integrated by welds 34 to the flange 24 of the associated inner post 22, and conveniently adjacent the upper and lower ends of said post. These lugs 33 are provided with axially aligned apertures 35 and they are designed to seat on similarly apertured lateral lugs 36, see Fig. 2 to best advantage, integrated to the outer face of the web portion of vertically-spaced channel-sections 31 extending lengthwise of the freight or box-car body; said sections 37, preferably being interposed between the wood lining planks or timbers 38, and

having their flanges vertically notched out at 39 for interengagement with, and attachment to, the vertical studs 40 intermediate the outer side walls id and the lining H3, see Figs. 1 and 2 to best advantage.

When the studs 48 are of metal the sections 3'1 may be additionally secured in position by welds 31' as indicated in Fig. 9, in an obvious manner. The respective gates I9, 20 are pivotally connected to the apertured lugs 3'! by aid of appropriate hinge elements or pins 4 I.

In order that the gates 19, 2|! may be easily swung into co-planar relation for interlock by aid of the bolt-members 29, each gate post 2! is fitted at its lower end with a projecting element 4| preferably integrated to the inner face of the post flange 23 and parallel to the flange 24; while said flange 24 and element M are alignedly apertured for reception of an axis pin 32 on which is freely rotatable a roller 43 adapted to ride over the box-car floor l3, as typicall indicated by the dot-and-dash curves 44 in Fig. l. Preferably, and vertically intersecting the axis of the pin 42 is a tubular section 45, see Figs. 6 and 9 to best advantage, secured to the outer face of the post flange 24 by welds 46, said section affording guidance for a bolt 47, having an operating pin or manipulator t8 afforded vertical and angular guidance by a slot 49 including upper and lower lateral branches 50, whereby said bolt ll may be held above the level of the floor I3, or lowered into or through a socket hole 5! in an arrestorplate 5!, inset into the car or truck-floor l3, and attached thereto by suitable securing means 52, Fig. 1. It is to be here noted that when the gates I9, 20 are not in use they are readily swung into proximate engagement with the truck or car side walls it and held, in such position, by provision of appropriately located arrestor-plates 5Ia, as readily understood by those conversant with the art from the movement-direction arrows included in the dot-and-dash curved lines M of Fig. l.

Rigidly secured as by welds 53, to the upper tube 25 of each gate i9, 20 and as best understood irom Figs. 2, 5, l1 and 12 are pairs of hanger brackets 54 having alignedly related apertures 55 therethrough for the dependent pivotal and vertical support of load sustaining plat form-sections, each comprehensively designated 56 and now to be described. Each platform section 56, it will be best seen from Fig. 10, consists of a rectangular frame of suitable angle-bars 5T miter-integrated together by corner welds 58 and further rigidified by one or more cross bracings 55. The frame is provided at one end with spaced lugs 66 rigidly secured thereto by fillet welds 6i, said lugs being adapted for flanking connection to the hanger elements 54 by hinge members 62 whereas the opposing end of said frame has integrated thereto, by appropriate welds, locking elements such as channel-sections 63 50 located that, when the platform-section 56 is swung upwardly and over into a horizontal position, or turned upwardly and over on the associated hinge member 62, the sections 63 will rest on the confronting, and relatively co-planar hinge member 82 of an adjacent, parallel gate as readily understandable on an examination of the upper lefthand portion of Fig. 1, more particularly, intermediate the inner spaced lugs of the aligned platform-section 56. Incidentally, the platformsections 56 are fitted with spaced planks or flooring 56' securely attached to said sections, in any well known manner, so as to afford adequate support for the load sustained thereby, as well as providing ventilation therethrough. Thus it will be readily appreciated that by providing each gate [9, 20 with an associated section or sections 56, as above set forth, the interior space of the truck or car body can not only be partitioned off, or lengthwise subdivided, by my improved barrier means but that it may likewise be vertically subdivided by the platform sections 56 for the carrying and transportation of merchandise which otherwise could not be stacked high because of crushing the lower and bottom pieces of said merchandise. Furthermore it is to be noted the platform sections need not, of necessity, be pivoted to the gates l9, 2!] but may simply rest thereon, in an obvious manner.

In addition to all of the foregoing I preferably provide the car or truck body with upper load separating means in the form of auxiliary or relatively smaller gates 6G, 55 conveniently, although not essentially, hinged for spaced vertical registration with respect to the lower gates I9, 20 as readily understandable from an inspection of Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Inasmuch as the gates 64, 65 are structurally similar to the gates I9, 20 without the platform-sections 56 and, in order to obviate unnecessary repetitive description, corresponding general reference characters are applied as far as possible with an added prime exponent for purposes of distinction only. It is to be noted, however, that the auxiliary gates 64-, 65 have no floor arrestor means, hence the bolt devices ii are dispensed with, and that such gates 64, 65 are interlocked in active position by the bolt members 29, in an obvious manner. On the other hand, each of the outer posts 2| is provided with a laterally projecting catch 66 conveniently integrated to said post by a surrounding fillet weld Bl. The catch 65, see Fig. more clearly, is located for co-action with a latch 68, fulcrumed at E9, in a clevis-bearing 'H), in turn secured to the car or truck lining wall it in any well known manner. It will, accordingly, be readily understood that each of the gates 64, 65, can be held along the lining walls it, in out of service position and thereby afford a maximum of floor space for the merchandise being loaded and stacked without objectionable projection into the car or truck body, and just as easily released by angularly raising the respective latch 68, relative to its fulcrum 69, for swinging into the active or barrier location of Figs. 2 and l. Preferably, although not essentially, each latch 68 is provided with a heel-section H for normal abutment against the inner wall 72 of the associated bearing 70 so that it is maintained in the path of movement of the gate catch 66, and may be readily tripped upwards by co-action with a taper 73 at the forward end of said latch 68. In other words, each gate 65, 65 is automatically arrested when moved to inactive location, whereas each .latch 68 must be manually released in order to swing the gates fi l, 55 into freight-bracing or barrier location. It will also be observed that each latch 68 is, preferably, provided in its underside with a notch '14 for co-action with the gate catch 66; and that removable barrier bars may be provided for application across the door openings l 8 when desirable.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that when the gates I9, 20, and 64, 65 are moved or horizontally swung into position crosswise of the car or truck body and interlocked by the bolt members 29, 29', respectively in each gate rail 25, said gates constitute a firm barrier preventative of endwise shifting of the freight or load; whereas, when the platform-sections 56 are vertically swung over or turned into horizontal position they furnish an effective load sustaining means or platform to prevent vertical crushing of the subjacent freight when susceptible to weight damage.

Finally, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, that variations in the hereinbefore described load separator and sustainer means involving the substitution of mechanical equivalents for the several devices described are intended to be comprehended within the spirit of the present invention, and that said invention is not confined to the exact showing of the drawings nor to the precise construction described. Therefore, all such changes and modifications of my invention that do not affect the spirit or exceed its scope are hereby reserved by me, and which are fairly readable as coming within the terms of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A load sustaining section for bracing barrier gates which are pivotally mounted vertically on the side wall of a freight car, consisting of a platform member having means at one end for horizontal locking engagement to the upper component of one of said barrier gates and means at the opposing end of said platform member for locking engagement with the top of another of said barrier gates whereby said connected barrier gates are functionally integrated in braced relation.

2. A freight car having vertical load separating gates pivoted to its side wall at spaced intervals along its length, a horizontal load supporting platform pivotally attached at one end to the top of one separating gate and with its other end in looking engagement with the top of an adjacent gate whereby the platform serves not only to support its load but to brace both the said gates against thrust lengthwise the car.

3. In a freight car a series of paired upright gates spaced at lengthwise intervals, and all pivoted to the side walls of the car; load supporting platforms each pivoted at one end to the top of a gate and extending horizontally to the top of an adjacent gate with which it is in locking engagement, whereby the platform serves not only to support its load but to brace both the said gates against thrust lengthwise the car.

4. The invention of claim 3 characterized further by the fact that the pivotal mounting of each said load supporting platform to the top of a gate is off-set to permit the load platform to swing downwardly to a position in parallel with the face of said gate and by the fact that the pivotal mounting of each said gate to the side wall of the car is off-set to provide a housing space for said load supporting platform between the wall of said car and said gate when swung to an inactive position paralleling said wall.

CARLETON K. STEINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 309,813 Bothwell Dec. 23, 1884 377,959 Ripley Feb. 14, 1888 1,896,198 MacMillan Feb. 7, 1933 2,009,895 Madden et a1 July 30, 1935 2,077,649 Sweeley et al. Apr. 20, 1937 2,155,463 Angell Apr. 25, 1939 2,390,873 Ditchfield Dec. 11, 1945 

